Drain valve



P 1929- R, H. GEORGE 1,728,677

DRAIN VALVE Filed Jan. 12. 1924 Fig.2.

Indenion RoberZE George;

Patented Sept. 17, 1929 UNETED STTES ROBERT H. GEORGE, OF BROOKLAWN, NEW JERSEY DRAIN VALVE Application filed January 12, 1924.

My invention relates to drain valves for steam engines and the like, and it relates more particularly to that type of automatic drain valve which permits the water of condensationto flow from the steam chest and cylinders of the engine, in which the valve proper is spring suspended, and which, in use, is normally held on its seat against the tension of the suspending spring by the live steam pres sure in the steam chest.

The principal object of my present invention is to provide a valve of the above mentioned, type, which will be simple and efiicient in its action and relatively inexpensive, and a further object of my invention is to provide a valve of ,said type of such construction and arrangement as will permit the entrapped fluid in the ends of the cylinder of the steam engine. .in connection with which the same is used, to pass freely therethrough with a minimum of obstruction when the engine is running with the steam supply shut off, as occurs, for example, when a locomotive engine is drifting, and a still further object of my invention is to provide a valve of the character above mentioned of an improved construction and arrangement, so as to preclude the trapping of water in the passageways thereof, thereby eliminating any possibility of stopping up said passageways through the freezing of such entrapped water.

lVith the foregoing objects in view, my invention further eonten'iplates certain improved details of construction, as Will herein after appear.

The nature and characteristic features of my present invention will be more readily understood from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical central sectional view of a drain valve embodying the main features of my present invention, the valve member being shown in the raised or elevated position assumed when the live steam supply to the engine is shut off;

Fig. 2 is a transverse section thereof, taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but with Serial No. 685,780.

the valve member shown in the seated position;

Fig. 4. is a horizontal plan View of the structure; and

Fig. 5 is a horizontal plan view of the valve member.

Referring to the drawings, in the particular embodiment of my invention therein shown, 6 is an integral cup shaped casing having an internal chamber 7, the bottom 8 of which is frusto-conical in shape, to form a seat for the valve member 9 which is mounted within the chamber 7 and has its under portion 10 also frusto-conical in shape, complemental to the bottom 8 of the chamber 7. The top of the chamber 7 is closed by means of a bonnet 11, which is preferably threaded in the upper end of the casing 6, a packing washer 12 being provided and interposed to seal the joint between the bonnet 11 and the casing 6.

A bolt 13 is threaded in the top of the honnet member 11, extending therethrough and being provided at its inner end with an eye 14 for the attachment of one end ofaspring 15, the other end of which is loosely secured and journalled under the head of a screw 16, which is threaded in the top of the valve member 9. The outer end of the bolt 13 is preferably slotted, as at 44, to permit adjustment, by means of a screw driver, of the position of the bolt 13 with respect to the bonnet 11. A look nut 17 is mounted on the bolt 13 on the outside of the bonnet 11, and a sealing washer 18 is interposed between the lock nut 17 and the top surface of the bonnet 11.

The valve member 9 is of a diameter somewhat less than the internal diameter of the chamber 7, so as to provide an appreciable clearance or passage space at the sides of the valve member 9. The valve member 9 is also preferably provided with a series of curved vanes 20, projecting upward from the upper surface of the valve member 9 (see Fig. 5), for the purpose of imparting a slight rotary movement to the valve member when the steam is passing therethrough, thereby equalizing the wear on the valve and its seat.

The valve member 9 is preferably made hollow, not only to decrease the weight thereof to render the same more sensitive in action, but also to permit the mounting therein of a lock nut 21 on the end of the screw 16, which, as hereinbefore indicated, serves as a means for rotatably suspending the valve member 9 from the lower end of the spring 15.

Extending from the side wall of the casing 6 is a threaded nipple 22, having a passageway 23 which communicates with the upper portion of the valve chamber 7 (see Fig. 2). This connection nipple 22, in the use of the structure, is adapted to be connected by suitable piping (not shown) to the steam chest or similar portion of the steam engine or other apparatus in connection' with which the valve is used.

Horizontally extending from the lower portion of the casing 6 are connection nipples 24, each provided with a port or passageway 25, these ports 25 having no upward extensions and these ports or passageways 25 terminating in the frusto-conical seat portion 8 of the valve chamber 7, thereby forming a means of communication with the chamber 7. These ports, however, are adapted to be closed by the valve member 9 when the same is in its lowermost or seated position (see Fig. 3). The connection nipples 24 are adapted to be connected by means of suitable piping (not shown) to the re spective ends of the steam cylinder of the engine, or the corresponding portions 0! similar apparatus. It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, there are provided two of such connection nipples 24, oppositely disposed in alinement with each other, but it will be readily understood that in some instances, for use in connection with other kinds of apparatus, different numbers of such connection nipples may be provided as desired, without departing from the spirit of my invention, as Will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

Projecting downward from the bottom of the casing 6 is a connection nipple 26, having an internal passageway 27 which extends from the bottom of the internal chamber 7 and which nipple 26 is adapted to be connected to a drain pipe for carrying away the water of condensation which is permitted to pass through the device.

The operation of the device may now be explained. \Vhen the steam engine, or other apparatus in connection with which the device is used, is not in operation, and the live steam supply is cut off, the valve member 9 will be raised by means of the spring 15, and held in the raised or elevated position shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the skirt. ll of the bonnet serving to limit the upward movement thereof. When said valve member is in this position, any water of condensation which may collect in the steam chest will pass by means of the piping (not shown) which extends from the steam chest of the engine to the connection nipple 22, and will be thence permitted to pass through the clearance space provided between the sides of the valve member 9 and the side walls of the chamber 7, after which the same will pass through the passageway 27 of the connection nipple 26 to the drain. Also, when the valve member 9 is in this position, any water of condensation which collects in the respective ends of the steam cylinder of the engine will be permitted to pass through the piping extending therefrom to the connection nipples 24, thence tl'irough the ports 25. and then through the passageway 27 to the drain.

hen, however, the live steam pressure is turned on in the engine. the flow of the steam through the device will cause the valve member 9 to be carried downward and seated upon the frustoronical seat 8, thereby closing the ports 25, as well as the passageway 27 which extends to the drain. \Vhen the valve member 9 in this position (see Fig. 3) the ports 25 will be closed against the normal pressures existing in the respective ends of the lngine c 'linder, but should, however, any condensation water accumulate, the same will be forced ll'irough the connecting piping and will cause the valve member 9 to be tilted or re ised sulliriently to permit the same to escape through the passageway 27, and thence to the drain. after which the valve member 9 will again be seated and maintained on the seat by the live steam pressure on the upper surface thereof.

It should be noted that, while the tension of the spring 15 is relatively light, it has been found in practice, in the use of devices of this type, that a certain regulation of the tension is essential for the proper functioning of the apparatus, and for this purpose the bolt 13 may be turned until the proper degree of tension is obtained for the particular working conditions, after which the lock nut- 17 may be tightened to maintain the bolt 13 in the proper position for the most efficient operation.

One of the mostvaluable uses which drain valves of this character have been applied is in connection with locomotive engine cylinders, and, as hereinbefore stated, one of the principal objects of the present invention is to permit the apparatus to actas a drifting valve when the locomotive is running idle with the steam supply cut ofl. It will be noted that, by arranging the connection nipples 24 oppositely disposed in alinement with each other, and by making the valve member 9 frusto'conical in shape, a free and substantially unobstructed passage of the entrapped steam or air between the respective ends of the engine cylinder will be permitted.

It should also be noted that in an automatic drain valve, constructed as hereinbefore set forth, all parts of the device will be drained of the condensation water, and none of such water will be permitted to remain in any of the ports or any portion thereof, whereby the same might freeze in cold weather and thus render the device inoperative for its intended purpose.

Having thus described the nature and characteristic features of my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An automatic drain valve comprising an integral cup shaped casing having a single internal chamber the bottom of which chamber is frusto-conical in shape, a valve member mounted in said chamber having its lower surface frusto-conical in shape complemental to the bottom of the chamber and adapted to be seated thereon, the sides of the valve member being so shaped with respect to the internal chamber as to provide a passage space at the sides of the valve member, a spring arranged above the valve member and adapted to raise said valve member from its seat, a pipe connection member extending from the side wall of the casing and having a port extending to the internal chamber above said valve member, a pipe connection member extending from the lower portion of the casing having a port passing directly to the valve seat without upward extensions, said last mentioned port being adapted to be closed by the valve member when the same is seated, and the casing having a downwardly extending passageway communicating with the interior of the casing at the bottom of the valve seat.

2. An automatic drain valve comprising an integral cup shaped casing having a single internal chamber the bottom of which chamber is frusto-conical in shape, a valve member mounted in said chamber having its lower surface frusto-conical in shape complemental to the bottom of the chamber and adapted to be seated thereon, the sides of the valve member being so shaped wit-h respect to the internal chamber as to provide a passage space at the sides of the valve member, a spring arranged above the valve member and adapted to raise said valve member from its seat, a pipe connection member extending from the side wall of the casing and having a port extending to the internal chamber above said valve member, a plurality of pipe connection members extending from the lower portion of the casing having ports passing directly to the valve seat without upward extensions, said last mentioned ports being adapted to be closed by the valve member when the same is seated, and the casing having a downwardly extending passageway communicating with the interior of the casing at the bottom of the valve seat.

3. An automatic drain valve comprising an integral cup shaped casing having a sina spring arranged above the valve member and adapted to raise said valve member from its seat, a pipe connection member extending from the side wall of the casing and having a port extending to, the internal chamber above said valve member, a plurality of pipe connection members extending from the lower portion of the casing having ports passing directly to the valve seat without upward extensions, said last mentioned portsbeing arranged in alinement with each other and being adapted to be closed by the valve member when the same is seated, and the casing having a downwardly extending passageway communicating with the interior of the casing at the bottom of the valve seat.

4. An automatic drain valve comprising an integral cup shaped casing having a single internal chamber the bottom of which chamber is frusto-conical in shape, a valve member mounted in said chamber having its lower surface frusto-conical in shape complemental to the bottom of the chamber and adapted to be seated thereon, the sides of the valve member being so shaped with respect to the internal chamber as to provide a passage space at the sides of the valve member, a bonnet mounted in the upper portion of said casing forming a closure for the top of the chamber, a spring connected at one end to the top of the valve member and at the other end to the bonnet, said spring being adapted to raise said valve member from its seat, a pipe conection member extending from the side wall of the casing and having a port extending to the internal chamber above said valve member, a pipe connection member extending from the lower portion of the casing having a port passing directly to the valve seat without upward extensions, said last mentioned port being adapted to be closed by the valve member when the same is seated, and the casing having a downwardly extending passageway communicating with the interior of the casing at the bottom of the valve seat.

5. An automatic drain valve comprising an integral cup shaped casing having a single internal chamber the bottom of which chamber is frusto-conical in shape, a valve member mounted in said chamber having its lower surface frusto-conical in shape complemental to the bot-tom of the chamber and adapted to be seated thereon, the sides of the valve member being so shaped with respect to the internal chamber as to provide a passa e space at the sides of the valve member, a onnet mounted in the upper portion of said casing forming a closure for the top of the chamber, a spring connected at one end to the top of the valve member and at the other end to the bonnet, said spring being adapted to raise said valve member from its seat, a pipe connection member extending from the side wall of the casing and having a port extending to the internal chamber above said valve member, a plurality of pipe connection members extending from the lower portion of the casing having ports passing directly to the valve seat without upward extensions, said last mentioned ports being adapted to be closed by the valve member when the same is seated, and the casing having a downwardly extending passageway communicating with the interior of the casing at the bottom of the valve seat.

6. An automatic drain valve comprising an integral cup shaped casing having a single internal chamber the bottom of which chamber is frusto-conical in shape, a valve member mounted in said chamber having its lower surface frusto-conical in shape complemental to the bottom of the chamber and adapted to be seated thereon, the sides of the valve member being so shaped with respect to the internal chamber as to provide a passage space at the sides of the valve member, a bonnet mounted in the upper portion of said casing forming a closure for the top of the chamber, a spring connected at one end to 5 the top of the valve member and at the other end to the bonnet, said spring being adapted to raise said valve member from its seat, a pipe connection member extending from the side wall of the casing and having a port extending to the internal chamber above said valve member, a plurality of pipe connection members extending from the lower portion of the casing having ports passing directly to the valve seat without upward extensions, said last mentioned ports being arranged in alinement with each other and being adapted to be closed by the valve member when the same is seated, and the casing having a downwardly extending passageway communicating with the interior of the easing at the bottom of the valve seat.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name.

ROBERT H. GEORGE. 

